What is a Bubonic Plague?
Historians used to call this disease with another very popular name which is - “the Black Death disease.” The origin of the bubonic plague was mainly through the diffusion of crops as well as pathogens along the trade routes. This disease is said to be a bacterial disease as it is caused by “yersinia pestis” bacteria. The major source of spreading of this infectious bacteria is said to be the presence of rodent populations as well as fleas which acts as a carrier and which bite animals. Human to human contact leads to the spread of the disease at a very large scale and thus leads to an increase in the number of infected people.
Because of the presence of the limited records, it leads to difficulty for the historians in order to measure the exact plague death toll. According to the report of historians, about 30% to 60% of the human population in European countries got infected by plague between 1347 and 1351. This article will give you the complete details about Bubonic Plague from the origin and other related information.
Bubonic Plague Origin
The bubonic plague was mainly caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. This bacteria can survive in the rodens and through that, it was spread to other mammals through flea bites. Black death origin in Central Asia was mainly because of the population of marmots, small prairie dogs and rodents. Usually, Marmots won’t have contact with human beings, but rodents have contact with marmots and human populations.
The fleas carried by bubonic plague also act as a vector for spreading the disease. From the 1330s to the 1350s, Bubonic Plague turned into a great epidemic in China and caused ten million deaths. Through the silk road, traders spread the disease west across Central Asia. The great historian William McNeill also mentioned it as rest stops for traders. The traders travelling in new routes also spread the disease over lands.
Important Facts
Spread of Bubonic Plague
Historians analysed the outbreak of bubonic plague in the mid-14th century and found that the spread of disease and trade went hand in hand. Later, it was termed as Black death disease. Initial symptoms of bubonic plagues are certain tumours in the groin or the armpits. Some people get the tumour as an apple or egg or some more or some less. Black death symptoms may spread themselves in all directions and cause black spots or livid appearance in arms, thighs and many more.
The Plague Across The World
During the period of 1300s, various Italian cities established the trade relationships with the other regions through the Mediterranean as well as Black Seas. Meanwhile, the Republic of Genoa had said to set up its colony at Kaffa which is said to be present near the Crimean Peninsula and on the other hand Mongol rulers also said to give permission for it. In 1344 when disagreement between the Mongols as well as the Genoese occurred, it led to the raising of various conflicts among them. The soldiers of Mongols were affected by the plague disease in 1346 and surrounded the city of Kaffa. Mongols had to dispose of the bodies at a separate location and place of a number of soldiers who lost their lives due to the plague. On the other hand, Kaffa soldiers were also said to be affected by this disease.
Likewise, the plague spread into Asia and hit major cities like Baghdad and Constantinople. Later, it was spread to Alexandria in Egypt, Damascus in Syria and also crossed the Red Sea and affected people in Mecca. Meanwhile, it entered into the trade network of the Indian Ocean. Through Genoese merchants, this disease was again transferred to Italy. In 1347, this disease landed in the port of Messina and transferred to the north of Europe in the next few years.
Effect of Bubonic Plague
Europe faced a huge death toll while comparing to other continents.
In the end, the total population of Europe became less than the smaller population of China.
The bubonic plague also created huge damage to China and affected an immense volume of traders in the Indian ocean.
This also affected the people of the Middle East and South Asia.
Historians won’t have any proper records on the death of the Bubonic plague but, they approximately said that they killed around 30% to 60% of the European population in such a short span from 1347 to 1351.
The mortality rates varied from place to place. Some European countries faced more than 80% of mortality rate and some countries remain untouched.
The pandemic also led to various and huge economic consequences and is said to have taken multiple lives of both humans and animals.
On the other hand, it does not only lead to loss of lives but also leads to decrease for various goods as well as services in many cities and thus also affects the production of the market.
Even labourers were not demanded high wages because they were scared of the spread of the Bubonic plague.
Other Major Effects on Spread Bubonic Plague
Because of the Bubonic plague, Serfdom disappeared and got opportunities for selling their labour.
The increase of labour cost caused landowners to properly utilize labours in efficient and profitable ways for their land and resources.
Through this method, people started getting payments on a rent basis.
The government also tried to control price on wages due to high cost, but this effort remained unsuccessful and met rebellion.
The plague caused huge fear and confusion, which led to violence because of a lack of medical knowledge and control methods to avoid spreading plague disease.
Lepers, Jews, Romani, and other religious and cultural minorities received the blame for spreading and causing the plague disease.
Conclusion
People in the fourteenth century did not have much understanding about the cause and spread of the plague disease and so many people lost their living hood. They took more time to understand the impact and cause of the plague disease. Even though trade plays an important role in the spreading of the bubonic plague across the world, trade brought huge benefits like increased access to goods and technology and the spreading of knowledge across the world.
Also, the Black Death reached the people, how cross-cultural contacts along denser trade networks will increase the potential damage and spread of disease. It is also noted that the outbreak during the mid-sixth century did not bring as much damage as the plague outbreak in the mid-fourteenth century, only because of fewer trade networks. Thus in this article, we have covered the origin of the bubonic plague as well as how the black death spread, its symptoms as well as effects in detail.
FAQs on Bubonic Plague: Spread of Black Death
1. What was the Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death?
The Bubonic Plague was a devastating global pandemic that occurred in the mid-1300s, famously known as the Black Death. It was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is considered one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, wiping out a significant portion of the world's population, especially in Europe.
2. What are the main symptoms of the Bubonic Plague?
The most distinctive symptom is the appearance of painful, swollen lymph nodes called buboes, usually in the armpits, groin, or neck. Other common signs include:
- Sudden onset of fever and chills
- Severe headache and muscle aches
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
3. How did the Black Death start and spread so quickly across the world?
The Black Death is believed to have originated in Asia and spread to Europe primarily through global trade routes. The disease was transmitted by fleas that lived on black rats, which were common passengers on merchant ships. This allowed the plague to travel rapidly from port to port and then inland, overwhelming densely populated cities.
4. Where did the Black Death pandemic have the biggest impact?
The pandemic had its most catastrophic impact on Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East during the 14th century. It is estimated to have killed between 30% and 60% of Europe's population. Urban areas and port cities suffered the most due to overcrowding and poor sanitation, which facilitated the spread of the disease.
5. Was the Bubonic Plague caused by a virus?
No, this is a common misconception. The Bubonic Plague is not a viral infection. It is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium named Yersinia pestis. This is a crucial distinction because bacterial infections, including the plague, can be treated with antibiotics, whereas viral illnesses cannot.
6. What exactly happens to the human body when infected with the plague?
After a person is bitten by an infected flea, the Yersinia pestis bacteria enter the lymphatic system. They travel to the nearest lymph node and multiply rapidly. This immune response causes the lymph node to become inflamed, tense, and painful, forming the classic 'bubo'. From there, the bacteria can spread to other organs if not treated.
7. How was the Bubonic Plague treated in the past compared to today?
During the 14th-century pandemic, there was no effective cure. Historical treatments were often based on superstition and included methods like bloodletting, which were not helpful. Today, the plague is rare but can be treated effectively with modern antibiotics if diagnosed early, making survival highly likely.
8. How did the Black Death change society in Europe?
The massive death toll had profound and lasting effects. It led to severe labour shortages, which empowered peasants to demand higher wages and greater freedom. This process helped weaken the traditional feudal system. The widespread suffering also caused many people to question the authority of the Church and state, paving the way for major social and cultural shifts.
9. Is the Bubonic Plague still a threat today?
The Bubonic Plague still exists in isolated pockets around the world, but it is very rare. Thanks to modern sanitation, public health measures, and pest control, large-scale outbreaks are prevented. Most importantly, we have effective antibiotics to cure the disease, so it no longer poses the same global threat as it did in the past.
10. Why was the pandemic called the 'Black Death'?
The name 'Black Death' likely has a few origins. One theory points to a symptom called gangrene, where body tissues like fingers and toes would turn black. Another reason is the dark, blackish spots that could appear on the skin from internal bleeding. Finally, the name also reflects the grim, terrifying, and dark nature of the era, which was filled with immense sorrow and death.
